Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

[draganksg]

How can be entered very large and very small numbers on variable filed on the form. For example -9 999 999 999.99(negative) or 9 999 999 999.99(positive) if the only setup of the variable field is format stayle ","(123,4456.78).
No way ("in normal world").

How you can recreate this issue :

- create form
- create 2 number variables("nNumber1" and "nNumber2")
- drag those 2 variables on the form
- setup on them only format style to be "," (123,4456.78) and 15 for a width and 2 for decimals (width doesn't matter, you can put it 25, behavior is the same)
- run the form
- enter in first variable field some very small(negative) number -999,999,999.99 (negative number with 2 decimal)
(you'll notice that you can't do that)
The same is with very large positive numbers 9,999,999,999.99
- BUT YOU CAN

- push the enter button to leave from that field to second and than go back to the first by mouse click on it and try again, and VOALA. IT'S WORKING.

What is the problem here. We have a large bookkeeping app. And it is working with some 20+ firms with over 100 users (computers) around 1 year. No one notice that until last week, when starting at the end of the annual audit business (there are of course major figures in circulation, positive or negative). Than this come up.

Is there any SOLUTION.

I can't simply say my client : "in first attempt enter any number and than go back end enter the second time the required number"

I create BUG REPORT but nobody answer me.
Not a word. Is it my error or bug. Very unprofessional from Alpha.
If they do not fix old version than they can say, i understand it. Simply not a word from them.

By the way I have the latest patch for alpha v11 and it's running on the windows 7. I try the same on the v12 of alpha and it is the same problem there.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Can't enter very large(possitive) and very small(negative) numbers into variable field on the form

Variable Formatting.PNG
variables.PNG



Dragan, it really does work. See attached.

1st, create the variable as Numeric
2nd, select the variable - NOT variable and label, just the right hand element
3rd, select Properties and change the Format INCLUDING the width of the field.

[draganksg]

Re: Can't enter very large(possitive) and very small(negative) numbers into variable field on the form

Ted thank you for you time but,

you're not paying attention on my post.

First I'm not a beginner in Alpha, I know how to set up properties on field or variable field. And metod you sugested IS NOT WORKING as well.

Maybe you didn't understand me because english is not my native language.

Problem is not with smal positive and negative numbers, but with the large ones like 1 234 567 890, 15 or negative -1 234 567 890,15 .

Two problems : one the whole number can't feet and second the decimal can't be entered.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Can't enter very large(possitive) and very small(negative) numbers into variable field on the form

Yes I was paying attention Dragan, and it's not a language problem.
When you create a variable, 19 is the maximum number of digits.
When you change the format, it goes back to 12,2 so I suggest you recheck the values in the format field before saving.
Take out the formatting and set it as None, then redo the field lengths again.

[draganksg]

Re: Can't enter very large(possitive) and very small(negative) numbers into variable field on the form

Ok,ok I know that the max number is 19.

And also I know that when I change format it goes to 12,2.

And when I remove format I can't enter number like -999 999 999.99 because the second decimal is blocked. BUT if I leave variable field and come back the second decimal is available for entering.

I sugested to try yourself this way I presented to you. And you'll agree with me that this is unusual behavior.


Again I thank you for the time and effort.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

variable Formatting1.PNG
Nope, cannot replicate what you have.
Try this setting. I can enter 999999999.99 and -999999999.99 in the fields.

[draganksg]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

Of course positive number 999 999 999,99 can be entered with both decimals, BUT negative only with 1 decimal, second decimal is not available until I leave and get back to field.

But if you setup 14,2 I expect that could enter number like 1 111 111 111,11 or 1 234 567 890,15 10 or 11 nubers and 2 decimals but we can't.

Even it is preset 12,2 it means that we could enter 10 figures and 2 decimals, somethig like 1 111 111 111,11 . And we can't do that.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

I see what you mean now. Closing the form and re-entering data drops the decimals.
If the data is coming from a table, could you use a calculated field instead?
I will investigate further this end.

Edit
You are stuck with 14 digits no matter what the setting says. The 14 includes the - and the . so in the positive numbers you can have 13 plus a decimal, in negatives, 12 plus a decimal and minus sign.
Also, I cannot get the Accounting Format to work on a variable.

Look at the variable in the IW (?variable_name) and you will see that the decimals are not present in the bigger numbers.

Yes, it appears to be a restriction on the variable format so changing the length has no effect.

[GGandhi]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

Even it is preset 12,2 it means that we could enter 10 figures and 2 decimals,

nope
it will be 9 before the dot 2 after the dot
would you be willing to set the variable as character and enter the numerical data and work on that.
you could possibly enter up to 40 characters if you wish.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

That looks like the only solution I could come up with too, G.
The data may be coming from a table, in which case it will be relatively easy to manipulate.

[draganksg]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

Thank you Ted and GGandhi for your time and effort but,

in my accounting application I have 300+ form and it would be enormous job to switch variable fields from numeric variables to character variables + change of code.

Furthermore it is not a god solution to the problem instead of it, it's a way around. And that is not always a smart way to go. I always prefer solutions of problems instead of way around.

Thanks again.


I'll wait for some solution from Alpha staff or eny other member of this forum.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

Try mailing [email protected] or look up Jerry Brightbill at Alpha. They may have some ideas.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

Another reply.
If you are dealing in Billions, then surely the pennies of cents are irrelevant?
Also, how were you planning for this to work? If the variables are already on the forms, you may be stuck with them unless you change them. All 300+ forms.
If you are calling a variable which has been dimmed elsewhere are you hoping to just do one change?

[draganksg]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

If you are dealing in Billions, then surely the pennies of cents are irrelevant?

I am sure that in your state tax evasion is a criminal offense as well as in mine state. So pennies count.
And about changing 300+ forms, I'm sure do not plan to change all of them.
I still hope that this is just a bug.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Very large and very small numbers into variable field on the form

Any bugs in V11 are no longer being addressed so if it is, we're stuck with it.